DPA/London


Roger Federer’s resounding opening win at the World Tour Finals over Tomas Berdych shows that the Swiss is ready for a trophy run at the season wrap-up in London.
The six-time year-end champion said that getting it right for the final tournament of the season is a matter of timing and luck.
“It depends on how much you played through Basel and Paris (his previous two ATP tournaments). The last 10 years Basel (his home event) has always been a final appearance, then Paris on the back end of it where I’m trying to do my best,” said the 17-time grand slam winner.
“There were a couple of years where it was back-to-back, Paris and London. In terms of preparation, there was nothing, or very little preparation.
“Now that we have a week (between the two events, it’s a lot for us.  I think I was one of the first with Kei to arrive in London. I gave myself extra time off after losing in the second round in Paris.”
The 34-year-old squeezed in some down time between Paris Bercy which ended last weekend and the London showpiece.
“It was really nice to spend some quality time with my kids, my wife, walking around, just relaxing before I went to Helsinki (testimonial for retiring rival Jarkko Nieminen),
“I started to practise every day from last Tuesday in London. First at Queen’s, club, now here since a few days. I feel really good. I was carrying a slight arm problem through Basel and Paris, but nothing that was hindering me to play well.
“It’s gone and I hope it’s not going to come back. It’s just part of the game to play hurt sometimes. But I’m not worried that it’s going to come back. So a fast match like this always helps.
“Even though I’m looking forward to my vacation, I can tell you that, I feel very happy to be here and very happy about my state of mind and body as well.”
Federer faces a key test today when he and world number one Novak Djokovic clash in a group match at the eight-man year-ender.